California officials on Wednesday issued a statewide flex alert, asking for voluntary energy conservation as officials brace for what is expected to be the worst heat wave of the year, lasting almost a week.
State officials asked Californians to voluntarily limit their electricity use from 4 to 9 p.m. in anticipation of increased energy demands as temperatures rise.
“With excessive heat in the forecast across much of the state and Western U.S., the grid operator is expecting high electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and is calling for voluntary conservation steps to help balance supply and demand,” officials with the California Independent System Operator wrote in a press release.
Forecasters expect the next few days will become California’s longest and most intense heat wave of the year.
The heat wave — a result of a large dome of hot air sitting over Central and Southern California — was expected to begin Wednesday and last through Tuesday next week.
Record-breaking heat is possible Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures along the coasts could range from 80 to 95 degrees Wednesday through Saturday, before increasing to 100 degrees Sunday and Monday, the weather service said.
When the state calls for a flex alert, you should try to conserve as much power as possible. Here are some ideas for saving energy.
The valleys and mountains could be pummeled by 95- to 110-degree temperatures Wednesday through Saturday, and highs of up to 115 Sunday and Monday, meteorologists said.
For officials with the California Independent System Operator, which operates the state’s power grid, a lengthy and punishing period of high temperatures means flex alerts could continue beyond Wednesday.
From Wednesday through Labor Day weekend, weather forecasters predict temperatures could reach as high as 115 degrees in some parts of Southern California.
During a flex alert, consumers are urged to reduce their energy use in the afternoon and evening hours, when the grid is most stressed because of high demand and less available energy from solar panels.
Customers are asked to set their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turn off unnecessary lights.
Experts remind Southern California residents to stay hydrated, stay out of the direct sun and shelter in air conditioned buildings, if possible.
Lowering the demand on the grid can prevent further emergency measures, such as rolling blackouts, officials said.
Cal ISO said it is taking steps “to bring all available resources online,” including issuing orders for restricted maintenance operations from Wednesday through Tuesday, noon to 10 p.m. each day.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday asked Californians to conserve electricity.
“We are anticipating this extreme heat to be a length and duration the likes of which we haven’t experienced in some time,” Newsom said.
Newsom advised Californians to turn their thermostats up to 78 degrees during the flex alert from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The governor warned that Sunday and Monday will be the most challenging days for the energy grid.
The high temperatures hit as the governor and his team pressure lawmakers to pass a bill on the final day of the legislative year to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open until 2030.
The plant, which sits on the coast of San Luis Obispo County and generated 6% of the electricity in the state last year, is slated to close in 2025.
Newsom argues Diablo must stay open for California to keep the lights on during heat waves and avoid a repeat of the rolling blackouts the state experienced two years ago. Environmental groups that pushed six years ago for the closure of Diablo strongly oppose.
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